The beleaguered airline is investigating the death of a giant rabbit which was being transported on one of its planes.

He was fully 90cm long, was called Simon, and was found dead in the cargo hold upon the flight’s arrival from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare (pun unintended).

The continental giant rabbit was apparently being delivered to a new “celebrity” owner, who is currently unknown.

Simon was the son of Darius, who is pictured above, and was owned by champion giant rabbit breeder Annette Edwards, from Stoulton. He was just 10 months old and weighed 50 pounds, and was expected to grow long enough to become to world’s biggest rabbit.

Edwards told The Sun: “Simon had a vet’s check-up three hours before the flight and was fit as a fiddle. Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.”

For once, United’s PR department kicked into gear, saying in a statement: "We were saddened to hear this news. The safety and well-being of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team. We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter."

In 2015, US airlines reported 35 animal deaths on flights, with fully 14 of those coming on United flights.

Simon had a brother Jeff, who, as far as we know is still alive and well, and currently munching some carrots in peace. We would advise him not to get on a United flight any time soon.

Topics

Share this article

Author

Dave Fawbert

ShortList.com staff writer Dave’s primary passions are pop, prose, punning and power ballads (and alliteration). A lower division football enthusiast and long-suffering cricket fan, he is one of only 110 people followed on Twitter by Chas Hodges from Chas ‘n’ Dave. Follow Dave on Twitter like Chas: @davefawbert